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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A2 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, December 27, 2006 Top 10 (Continued from A1) cent of registered voters sign a petition, a bond election must be held. In October and November, opponents gathered more than 200 pages of signatures, enough to force a bond election. The election is scheduled for June 2007. Proposal to relocate the Sanpete County Fairgrounds “footprint” north of the current site triggers a counter-proposal to move the fairgrounds to Pigeon Hollow. Emotional hearings follow. Commissioners reveal that the proposed courts building will wipe out the fairgrounds Exhibit Building and 80-year-old grandstand. But they promise that the 2007 fair will be held, even if it has to be scaled down. At that point, a group called “Move the Fairgrounds: proposes developing a more comprehensive recreation facility at Pigeon Hollow including not only fairgrounds but an indoor horse arena and possibly a motor racetrack. In September, citizens pack hearings in Gunnison, Manti and Mt. Pleasant to talk about the future of the fairgrounds. Gunnison and Manti residents want the fair to stay in Manti and are skeptical about the horse arena. People at the Mt. Pleasant hearing back the Pigeon Hollow site. Commissioner Claudia Jarrett remarks that the hearings have brought out “more passion than I’ve ever seen on any issue.” The input is referred to the Sanpete County Office of Economic Development for study. Voters approve $6 in bonds for new jail. Commissioners announce plans to seek voter approval of a general obligation bond as the final link in financing a $12 million, 128-bed jail, replacing a current county jail that they say is unsafe and vulnerable to legal challenge. A major source of financing, commissioners say, will be leas- 2 3 ing beds to the state and possibly federal corrections systems. The commissioners launch a P.R. campaign aimed at winning voter approval, including tours of the present jail, hearings and appearances at city council meetings. In June, voters approve the bonds by 63 percent. At year-end, commissioners are finalizing acquisition of a site south of Manti and hoping to break ground in spring, 20007. Tumultuous election year. The March filing deadline produces one of the fullest candidates slates on record. Sanpete County Democrats, often silent or absent, field credible candidates for the Utah House of Representatives and Sanpete County sheriff. In the Republican primary in June, Sheriff ’s Deputy Rick Howe upsets incumbent Sheriff Kay Larsen. During October, two meetthe-candidate nights in Ephraim and one in Fairview draw full houses. A theme continues to be that commissioners were not candid early on about plans for the courts building and fairgrounds. In the end, all Republican incumbents keep their seats (except Sheriff Larsen, who was unseated in the primary). However, Democrat Kevin Holman defeats Howe for sheriff by 350 votes. And Republican Sandy Neill upsets fourterm Democratic incumbent Kristine Frischknecht for county clerk by 221 votes. The election seems to mark a new era in local politics as some candidates spend upwards of $10,000 on signs, color brochures and advertising. S a n p e t e County goes tollfree. During 2005, local phone companies got together on a proposal to make Sanpete County, which formerly consisted of three calling areas, a single, toll-free calling area. Base telephone rates would go up 4 Cent er field Center erf Cour ier Courier BY ELVA JENSEN 528-3382 CENTERFIELD—Lila Phillips had the exciting experience of having her son, Cory Nielson, and his four sons come to decorate her home for Christmas on Dec. 1. Cory’s oldest son is on an LDS mission in Oregon. Cory was born and raised in Centerfield. Lila really enjoyed having her family do such a kind deed, even if it was after dark when they got to her home. The boys are named Russell (on a mission), Allen, Taylor, Michael and Jacob. I had a winter piano recital on Dec. 10. Ten students each did two numbers, as they were short pieces. The advanced students have graduated, and the younger students performed very well. The Christmas lights are all so pretty! The snow, too, has made it seem more like Christmas time. The Centerfield 2nd Ward had its annual Christmas party Dec. 13 and a large crowd enjoyed the delicious dinner. The young men and women did a great job telling the nativity story. Erik Rico and Kim Christenson were narrators. Of course, the highlight was all the children getting to see Santa. This is a special time of the year. We sometimes wonder why we start decorating so soon after Thanksgiving, but with all the activities, the time goes so fast that we just get the decorations in place and then it’s time to take them down again. We do need to spend some time to contemplate the real reason for Christmas and take special time to help others. As the new year begins, we need to take inventory of our actions and make sure we are giving in the right directions and become more appreciative of our many blessings. A bridal shower was held at Brad and Colleen Jensen’s home Dec. 9 for their daughter Camille who was married Dec. 19 in the Manti Utah Temple. Her new husband is Mark Heidlbrink, from Colorado. A large group of friends and family attended the shower, and she received many nice gifts. They will make their home in Provo and continue their education. Congratulations to Camille and Mark. Jordan and Stephanie Hill are excited about the new addition to their home. Just in time for Christmas, they have a new baby boy named Lucas. The couple’s first child, he weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was born Dec. 12 in the Gunnison Valley Hospital. 5 (See “Top 10” on A3) To the many fine citizens of our communities, we offer our best wishes to all, and give our heartfelt thanks for allowing us to represent you. We encourage you to support local merchants and businesses this holiday season, that our communities may thrive and prosper. We look forward to serving you next year. Gunnison Good N ews Ne BY KAREN PRISBREY 528-7710 It’s been a cold winter, as indicated by this Weather Bug report for Dec. 21 from Gunnison Valley Elementary. Dashing though the snow, sliding on the ice, o’er the streets we go, holding on in fright. Temperatures are cold, still our thoughts are bright, oh, what fun it is to feel the warmth of Christmas Night. Yes, I took a little liberty with the familiar song of Jingle Bells and rewrote a few of the words to fit our current weather conditions. (See photo). With a fresh blanket of snow to cover the ground and frigid temperatures that will ensure a white Christmas, wouldn’t it be nice to sit next to a cozy warm fire and sip a cup of hot chocolate? I hope you have time to enjoy the ambience of the season. Dennis, Staci, and their five children of Aurora; and Devin and his three boys of Ephraim, will join us Christmas Eve for our traditional dinner, singing of Christmas carols, and telling of the nativity story prior to opening presents selected for each child by grandpa and grandma. These are traditions that have been carried down from one generation to the next, and build ties that forever bind us as families. Recognizing our Saviors’ birth and resurrection, spreading love and good will to our fellow men, and spending quality time with our families is what the holiday season is all about. We hope all of you enjoyed your families and friends gathered around you this year. Scott and Janet Hatch had a house full for Christmas with daughter, Tiffany; daughter-in-law, Miranda; granddaughter, Morgan; Janet’s mother, Shelly Lund, of Redmond; Kera, Clint and Riley Gregerson; and Miranda’s father of California. Everyone was excited they would be able to talk with Adam in Korea, and Jordan, who is stationed at Eglund Air Force Base in Florida, over the webcam system on Christmas. “Morgan knows her daddy best over the web-cam,” says Miranda. I spoke with Sharon Anderson at the grocery store on Saturday who told me that Dr. Tom is finally on the mend after suffering a very rough bout with double knee replacement surgery. He’s now going through therapy and walking around the house ever so carefully surgery. We are glad to hear that he’s better and wish him the best as he continues to recuperate. Sympathy is extended to the children and extended family members of former Gunnison resident Leslie E. Edwards who passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Wasatch Valley Rehab Center in Salt Lake City after losing his battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Les, who lived here in town for a number of years with his young family during the 80’s, owned and operated the Radio Shack store located where the Malt Shop at China Gate is operating. Services were held Saturday, Dec. 16 in Salt Lake, with burial in the Gunnison City Cemetery. Condolences also go to the children and extended family members of Keith Knighton who passed away Saturday, Dec. 24 in his sleep at home. The brother of Helen (Lester) Hill, Keith moved to Gunnison following his retirement from UNIVAC, and lived and cared for his mother, Ordell, until her passing. Graveside services for Keith were held today at 11 a.m. in the Gunnison City Cemetery. Congratulations are in order to Nick Rosenvall for having completed his studies at Steven Henager’s Business College in Provo and receiving a degree in Computer Science. Nick is employed as a Program Engineer for APX Security of Provo, and is the son of Ruth and Marshall Sorenson of Gunnison and Leslie Rosenvall of St. George. He is the husband of the former Meredith Fjeldsted and father of Kemry and Javin. The Rosenvalls live Springville. Kim Pickett has announced his annual Christmas tree burn will be on Monday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. He says he will pick up your Christmas tree if you will leave them out on the side of the street. He will even call White’s Sanitation and tell them not to pick up the trees so that he can have the biggest tree burn ever. Kim invites anyone in the valley who wants to come and roast hot dogs or get warm by the fire and visit with people of the community, to join him and his family for this year’s burn. “Oh yes,” he adds, “bring your own hot dogs and buns.” If Kim hasn’t picked up your tree by Saturday, Jan. 13 give him a call at 528-7610, he may not have seen it in his travels. Happy Holidays from your county commissioners other elected officials and employees of Sanpete County. www.SanpeteMessenger.com |
